Kimoto
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 7908
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Category Detail
- Chemicals & Chemical Products
- Prefecture
- Mie Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- February 1961
- Listing Year
- January 1994
- Official Website
- https://www.kimoto.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Kodensha, Nissan Chemical, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, Sumitomo Bakelite, Nippon Kayaku, Tri Chemical Laboratories, ADEKA, Taiyo Holdings, Dexerials, JX Metals, Kyosha, ZACROS, Nozaki Paper
Overview
Kimoto is a special film manufacturer founded in 1961, primarily producing functional films for LCDs and has established a solid position in the chemical industry.
Current Situation
For the fiscal year ending March 2024, Kimoto recorded consolidated net sales of 9.91 billion yen and net profit of 335 million yen, maintaining a stable business foundation. Its main business is the production of functional films used in LCD panels, supplied to electronics and automotive manufacturers both domestically and internationally. Centered on photogrammetry film technology accumulated since its founding, the company focuses on developing optical films and semiconductor-related materials, continuing technological innovation. Emphasizing sustainability, it promotes reduction of environmental impact and development of resource-recycling products. In 2024, it relocated its head office to Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, strengthening community-based management. Moving forward, it prioritizes development of new functional films for smartphones and automobiles, and expansion in global markets as key strategies. Backed by stable performance and technological strength, it aims for sustainable growth.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- The company started with development of films for aerial photogrammetry.
- Employees' dahlia garden in Inabe City is open to the public.
- Its technology for functional films for LCDs is highly regarded in the industry.
- Also engaged in semiconductor encapsulants business.
- The company name 'Kimoto' derives from the founder's name.
- Announced automotive films at Automotive World.
- Special film manufacturer with over 60 years of history.
- Owns multiple factories in Mie Prefecture.
- Also has factories and a technology development center in Saitama and Ibaraki.
- Utilizes SNS like Facebook and Instagram for information dissemination.
- Also operates aerial photography and blueprint reproduction services.
- Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section in 2005.
- Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market.
- Rare chemical company operating a farm business in a low-population area.
- Known as a mid-sized company specialized in special films.
Hidden Connections
- Collaborates with major metal manufacturers like JX Metals to jointly develop special film products.
- Maintains ongoing technical exchanges with peers like Nozaki Paper and Kyosha.
- Technology development center in Saitama Prefecture also supports local industries.
- Contributes to regional revitalization in Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, through gardens and events.
- Strengthening recruitment of younger talent through SNS utilization.
- High-function films for automotive industry compete with Sumitomo Bakelite.
- Overseas subsidiary KIMOTO TECH, INC. supports global market expansion.
- History of transitioning from photogrammetry technology to electronic materials manufacturer.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Stable growth in LCD and display markets
- Expansion in high-function film field for automotive use
- Increasing demand for next-generation semiconductor materials
- Rising demand for environmentally friendly products
- Strengthened product deployment in global markets
- Improved speed of new product launches through technological innovation
- Sustainable development through community-based management
- Increasing material demand accompanying digitalization in industries
- Enhanced responsiveness to strengthened sustainability-related laws
- Customization to diverse customer needs
Strategic Goals
- Double sales in LCD and electronic materials fields
- Expand market share of high-function films for automotive use domestically and internationally
- Expand bio-based functional film business
- Halve CO2 emissions and build energy-saving manufacturing system
- Complete digital transformation
- Achieve over 20% sales ratio from overseas markets
- Establish co-creation model through strengthened collaboration with local communities
- Diversify product portfolio and develop new materials
- Improve employee technical skills and create better workplaces
- Expand and promote product lines with environmental certifications
Business Segments
Electronic Materials Business
- Overview
- Supports the electronics industry through research, development, and manufacturing of high-function materials.
- Competitiveness
- High-precision, high-function film manufacturing technology
- Customers
-
- Semiconductor manufacturers
- LCD panel manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Electronics manufacturers
- Products
-
- Functional films
- Encapsulants
- Photosensitive materials
- Optical films
Industrial Protective Materials
- Overview
- Realizes surface protection with products for diverse industrial fields.
- Competitiveness
- Long years of understanding site needs and product optimization
- Customers
-
- Construction materials manufacturers
- Metal processors
- Optical equipment manufacturers
- General manufacturing
- Products
-
- Protective films
- Special films
- Industrial materials
Photography and Reproduction Services
- Overview
- Provides aerial photography and various blueprint shooting and reproduction services.
- Competitiveness
- High-precision services based on aerial surveying technology
- Customers
-
- Surveying firms
- Construction companies
- Government agencies
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Aerial photography
- Blueprint reproduction
- Related video production
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Advanced functional film manufacturing technology
- Unique know-how based on long years of photogrammetry technology
- Product deployment in diverse industrial fields
- Solid domestic and international customer base
- Stable financial base and profit margins
- Community-based management structure
- Product development considering sustainability
- Active investment in product development and technological innovation
- Strengthened production system with multiple factory sites
- Possesses a well-equipped R&D center
- Long-term customer relationship building
- Diversified business portfolio
- Expertise in functional film field
- Strengthened collaboration with group companies
- High-quality management system
Competitive Advantages
- Domestic top-class technological strength in special films
- Deep product knowledge and responsiveness in LCD and semiconductor fields
- Differentiation through unique optical property control technology
- Order securing leveraging long-term trust with customers
- New product creation capability via R&D center
- High certifications and maintenance in quality and environment
- Ability to provide customized products according to needs
- Maintains cost competitiveness by promoting in-house production
- Development system enabling early market launch
- Flexible customer support through community ties
- Capability to handle multi-variety small-lot production
- Strategies to strengthen overseas market expansion
- Expansion of environmentally regulated compliant products
- Business efficiency improvement through active IT utilization
- Enhanced employee training and technology succession
Threats
- Intensifying competition with low-price products from overseas manufacturers
- Risk of raw material price fluctuations
- Risk of lagging behind the speed of technological innovation
- Cost increases due to strengthened environmental regulations
- Impact of global semiconductor market business cycles
- Changes in purchasing strategies of major customers
- Market fragmentation by new entrants
- Risk of damage to production sites from natural disasters
- Difficulty in securing and developing talent
- Profit impact from exchange rate fluctuations
- Information security risks
- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical risks
Innovations
2025: Development of High Heat-Resistant Functional Film for Automotive Use
- Overview
- Developed a new high heat-resistant functional film for automobiles and plans market launch.
- Impact
- Creates new demand in automotive display field
2024: Commercialization of Environmentally Friendly Bio-Based Film
- Overview
- Successfully developed and commercialized a film with reduced environmental impact using renewable resources.
- Impact
- Strengthens environmental responsiveness of product lineup
2023: Performance Improvement of Next-Generation Polarizing Film for LCDs
- Overview
- Developed polarizing film technology that significantly improves optical properties and enhances energy efficiency.
- Impact
- Improves customer satisfaction and competitiveness
2022: Manufacturing Process Optimization Using AI
- Overview
- Introduced AI in factories, achieving improved yield and quality stabilization.
- Impact
- 10% improvement in production efficiency and cost reduction
2021: Business Launch of New Photosensitive Materials
- Overview
- Developed and commercialized high-sensitivity photosensitive materials for semiconductors.
- Impact
- Contributes to new market development and sales growth
Sustainability
- Promotion of development and adoption of bio-based materials
- Measures to improve factory wastewater recycling rate
- Update to energy-saving production equipment
- Reduction of waste and promotion of recycling
- Active participation in local environmental conservation activities
- Strengthening of environmental management system
- Compliance with environmental standards in supply chain
- Regular implementation of employee environmental education
- Environmental impact assessment of products and information disclosure
- Setting indicators for sustainable business operations
- Promotion of green procurement
- Setting targets for CO2 emissions reduction